Brains

No this is not a post about Halloween.  It is just a simple dedication to the brain.

The Brain
Remarkable
Complex
Approx. one hundred billion nerve cells
Action
Feeling
Memory
Experience
The center of function
The Brain
 

School has started and many big changes have occurred in our household. 
First, Ellis has started Kindergarten.  He LOVES it!  He is part of a new program in our district called STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math).  If you know Ellis, this is right up his alley.  So much fun for him.  The pictures in this post are of Ellis' "growing brain".  He has been growing this brain in a water bath for 4 days.  Today, he said his brain was big enough.  It is now on display in the kitchen.  It is also quite appropriate for the beginning of school. 
Second, I have gone back to work full time.  I started the year with moving back to the classroom after 5 years of itinerant work in multiple schools.  The opportunity for full time opened up and we decided that this was the time to make that move.  Well, I have certainly gotten myself into something else. 
Needless to say, we are busier that ever before. 
Third, Isaak started middle school.  That is a whole new level of scheduling.  That is all I have to say about that.

So in reflection, or to tie this all together, the brain.
It is what is being taxed daily in this household. 
It is what I depend upon it to get me going in the morning to get everyone ready for school. 
I rely upon it to remember what students I am seeing next and for what subject. 
I expect that it will continue to fire rapidly as I move into our after school schedule. 
I hope it doesn't turn to complete mush when I collapse at the end of the day and stare blankly at the television wondering if the laundry will wash, dry, and fold itself each night.



Thank you brain for all you do.  Hang in there, we'll get through this together.

Sincerely,

Me

A Long Week

Do you ever look at the sky and really want to just be wrapped up in it, in complete silence, with nothing to think about, and nothing to do.

Just to be.

Silence, stillness, calm, simple.
Just a thought.
It has been a long week.

Mud, mud and more mud

We have had several days of rain and were ready for some sunshine.  I know there are many states needing rain and we are glad to share, however, Mother Nature hasn't been answering my calls lately.  The other morning we woke to sun coming in the windows!  Yeah!

We got right to work on some projects outside and the boys were busy building forts, making swords from sticks and chasing each other through the woods. 

While in full swing on a furniture paining project, guess what surprised us?  I felt one, then two, then a down pour. 

That's right, rain.  We quickly hustled the bookshelves into the garage and the boys took off their shirts and ran through the yard like we have been in a month long drought!

Here is what came of the rain and the boys...

WARNING!!!  The following pictures involve our snake pit!

I hear mud masks help your skin look and feel younger and smoother.

Of course throwing mud is also necessary for a full mud experience.

Mud body drawings anyone?

Here is the snake pit.  The rain left a nice puddle in the bottom and the boys couldn't resist trying to board down into it.

Why bother with a board?  Why not body slide instead?

Ahhh, mud.  Tons of fun, until you have to clean up. 

I am thankful that my brother-in-law told us to install a hot water tap on the outside of the house as well as a cold one.  The kids cleaned up in warm water.  They were thankful.  So was I.  So much less mud in the house.  Thanks Billy!